Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. Kailh Sage
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Kailh Sage switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two options that stand out are the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Kailh Sage. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is renowned for its sharp tactile feel, thanks to a strong downstroke bump and an even sharper upstroke bump. With its medium-heavy weight and accentuated bottom-out, typing on the Moyu Blacks creates a distinctive and impactful experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage offers a distinct clicky typing experience with a refreshingly sharp clickiness. While both switches offer satisfying tactile feedback and sharp sensibilities, their unique characteristics set them apart. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Kailh Sage differ significantly in terms of their sound profiles and aesthetics. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features a PBT top housing, which offers a neutral sound profile. It is neither crisp nor dull, providing a balanced and pleasant typing experience. In contrast, the Sage's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. This is due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which offers a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches have different materials with distinct sound profiles. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) utilizes a PBT bottom housing, which again provides a neutral sound profile. It neither enhances nor dampens the sound, resulting in a consistent typing experience. On the other hand, the Sage's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and produces a duller and rounder sound. This may appeal to individuals who prefer a less pronounced and more muted typing experience.
When considering the overall impact of the housing materials, it is important to note that the top and bottom housings play different roles in the sound and feel of a switch. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, as it is the part that comes into direct contact with the keyboard's plate or PCB. The qualities of the bottom housing will be more pronounced when pressing down on the switch. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key, providing additional auditory feedback. Therefore, the choice of housing materials in both the top and bottom parts of a switch will ultimately affect the overall typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Kailh Sage differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles and aesthetics. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features a PBT top and bottom housing, providing a balanced and neutral sound. In contrast, the Sage utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, offering a sharper and higher-pitched sound, and a nylon bottom housing, producing a deeper and fuller sound. While the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a consistent typing experience, the Sage provides a more varied and potentially more muted or resonant experience, depending on personal preference. Despite their differences, both switches demonstrate the impact of housing materials on the overall sound and feel, with the bottom housing playing a greater role in the bottom-out sound, and the top housing influencing the sound upon key release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, there are some notable differences. The Moyu Black has an actuation force of 50 grams, while the actuation force of the Sage is unfortunately unknown. However, both switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force, with the Moyu Black requiring 67 grams and the Sage requiring 70 grams.
In terms of weight, the lighter actuation force of the Moyu Black may be more appealing to those who prefer a lighter typing experience. This can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions, as it reduces the strain on the fingers. On the other hand, the Sage offers a potentially stronger, more substantial push feel, which some individuals may prefer for a more tactile and satisfying typing experience.
It is important to note that without the specific actuation force for the Sage, it is difficult to make a direct comparison between the two switches in terms of actuation force. However, with both switches having a medium-heavy bottom out force, users can expect similar results when pressing the keys all the way down. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the individual's preference for lighter or heavier keystrokes.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it is evident that there is a slight difference. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has a travel distance of 4.0mm, while the Sage offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6mm. Generally, a 4.0mm travel distance is considered more traditional, while 3.6mm is on the shallower side. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If responsiveness is your priority, opting for the switch with the shorter travel distance would be ideal. However, it is important to note that some individuals find shorter travel distances to feel abrupt. If you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing a key, the switch with the longer travel distance may be the better choice for you. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal preference and the specific requirements of the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch provides a resonant and immersive auditory experience. Typing on these switches produces a clean and sharp sound profile, with a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound on the downstroke. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage switch offers a crunchy typing experience, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. It's important to note that the sound of each switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch is accented, offering a distinctive medium tactile experience. These switches provide a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The sharp tactile bump is felt distinctly with each and every keypress, providing high feedback intensity. Similarly, the Kailh Sage switch also features a sharp tactile bump, resulting in a pronounced feedback and reactive feel. Both switches offer a medium to firm actuation force, creating an invigorating and impactful typing sensation.
Considering the available information, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and Kailh Sage switches offer different subjective qualities. The Moyu Blacks provide a rare and premium typing experience with their unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing, sharp tactile feel, and hypertactile sensation on the upstroke. On the other hand, the Sage switches offer a distinct clicky typing experience with their heavy weight and sharp clickiness. While the Moyu Blacks have a resonant sound, the Sages offer a crunchy sound profile. In terms of feel, both switches possess a sharp tactile bump, but the Moyu Blacks are described as accented and the Sages as invigorating. Depending on individual preferences, one can choose between a premium tactile experience with the Moyu Blacks or a distinct clicky experience with the Sages.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a rare and premium typing experience, with a distinctive and impactful feel, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is the choice for you. With its medium-heavy bottom-out force and sharp tactile feel, these switches provide a snappy and punchy typing experience. The unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing adds to the overall quality, making them highly sought after. On the other hand, if you prefer a distinct clicky typing experience with a heavy and sharp clickiness, then the Kailh Sage clicky switch is the way to go. The weight of the Sage switches, combined with their crunchy sound profile, offers a refreshing tactile and auditory sensation. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference, but both the Moyu Black and the Sage switches provide excellent choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
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